SIMULATION CODES FOR LIGHT-ION DIODE MODELING

The computational tools used in the investigation of light-ion diode p hysics at Sandia National Laboratories are described. Applied-B ion di odes are used to generate intense beams of ions and focus these beams onto targets as part of Sandia's inertial confinement fusion program. Computer codes are used to simulate the energy storage and pulse formi ng sections of the accelerator and the power flow and coupling into th e diode where the ion beam is generated. Other codes are used to calcu late the applied magnetic field diffusion in the diode region, the ele ctromagnetic fluctuations in the anode-cathode gap, the subsequent bea m divergence, the beam propagation, and response of various beam diagn ostics. These codes are described and some typical results are shown.